Multi-mode stool

ABSTRACT

A multi-mode includes a chassis, a height adjustor and an angle adjustor. The height adjustor includes an external tube pivotally connected to the chassis between a vertical position and a horizontal position and an internal tube telescopically inserted in the external tube so that the height adjustor is made with an adjustable effective length. The angle adjustor includes a platform, two lateral plates, an axle and a pin. The lateral plates extend parallel to each other and from the platform. Each of the lateral plates includes a plurality of apertures. The axle is used to pivotally connect the lateral plates to the internal tube, which is located between the lateral plates. The pin is operable to insert in the internal tube via a selected one of the apertures to keep the platform in a selected one of several angles relative to the internal tube.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to maintenance and repair of vehicles and, more particularly, to a multi-mode stool for adequately supporting a worker working on a vehicle.

2. Related Prior Art

In a motorcycle or bicycle workshop, a worker squats on the ground to scrutinize, maintain or repair a motorcycle, scooter or bicycle. In a car workshop, a worker sometimes has to lie on the ground to scrutinize, maintain or repair a car or truck. The worker stains his or her clothes while lying on the ground. The worker suffers sore or pain in his or her muscles after squatting or lying on the ground for some time.

The worker can sit on a stool while scrutinizing, maintaining or repairing the motorcycle, scooter or bicycle. However, the gap between the chassis of the car and the ground is smaller than the height of the stool, and the stool is hence useless for supporting the worker below the chassis of the car.

The worker can lie on a board equipped with casters while working below the chassis of the car or truck. However, the length of the board is not adjustable and hence fails to adequately support the worker if he or she is tall.

The present invention is therefore intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in prior art.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is the primary objective of the present invention to provide a multi-mode stool with adjustable height and angle.

To achieve the foregoing objective, the multi-mode stool includes a chassis, a height adjustor and an angle adjustor. The height adjustor includes an external tube pivotally connected to the chassis between a vertical position and a horizontal position and an internal tube telescopically inserted in the external tube so that the height adjustor is made with an adjustable effective length. The angle adjustor includes a platform, two lateral plates, an axle and a pin. The lateral plates extend parallel to each other and from the platform. Each of the lateral plates includes a plurality of apertures. The axle is used to pivotally connect the lateral plates to the internal tube, which is located between the lateral plates. The pin is operable to insert in the internal tube via a selected one of the apertures to keep the platform in a selected one of several angles relative to the internal tube.

The multi-mode may include an elastic pin device arranged on one of the longitudinal bars and operable for engagement with the external tube to keep the external tube in the vertical position on the chassis. The external tube may include a fin for engagement with the elastic pin device. The elastic pin device may include a sheath connected to the longitudinal bar in the vicinity of the fin, a pin movably inserted in the sheath, and a spring compressed between an internal portion of the sheath and a portion of the pin. The spring tends to push the pin into the fin from the sheath.

The height adjustor may include a fastener operable to reach and abut against the internal tube via the external tube to keep the effective length of the height adjustor at a desired value.

To provide comfort, the multi-mode may include two cushions. The first cushion is connected to the platform. The second cushion includes a front portion supported on front unit of the chassis, a rear portion supported on a rear unit of the chassis, and a middle portion supported on a longitudinal unit of the chassis. The rear portion of the second cushion includes a cutout for receiving the external tube so that the second cushion does not interfere with the pivoting of the external tube.

Other objectives, advantages and features of the present invention will be apparent from the following description referring to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described via detailed illustration of the preferred embodiment referring to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multi-mode according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of a multi-mode shown in FIG. 1, with a cushion removed;

FIG. 3 is a partial, cross-sectional view of the multi-mode shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is another partial, cross-sectional view of the multi-mode shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the multi-mode shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a multi-mode shown in FIG. 1, with a worker shown in phantom lines;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the multi-mode shown in FIG. 1, with another angle of a seat shown in phantom lines;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the multi-mode shown in FIG. 1, with another height of the seat shown in phantom lines;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the multi-mode shown in FIG. 8, with the seat at another angle;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the multi-mode shown in FIG. 9, with a seat post at another angle; and

FIG. 11 is a top view of the multi-mode shown in FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, there is a multi-mode 10 for supporting a worker working on a vehicle according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The multi-mode 10 includes a chassis 20, a height adjustor 30, an angle adjustor 40, an elastic pin device 50 and two cushions 60 and 62.

The chassis 20 is a substantially I-shaped. The chassis 20 includes a longitudinal unit 22, a front unit, a rear unit and a stop 23. The longitudinal unit 22 includes two longitudinal bars 28 separated from each other by a slit 21.

The front unit includes a front transverse bar 24 and two front reinforcement bars (not numbered). The front transverse bar 24 is attached to front ends of the longitudinal bars 28 by welding for example. Each front reinforcement bar is a bent element with an end connected to the front transverse bar 24 and another end connected to a corresponding one of the longitudinal bars 28.

The rear unit includes two rear transverse bars 26 and two rear reinforcement bars (not numbered). Each rear transverse bar 26 extends from a corresponding one of the longitudinal bars 28, i.e., they are made in one piece. Each rear reinforcement bar is a bent element with an end connected to a corresponding one of the longitudinal bars 28 and another end connected to a corresponding one of the rear transverse bars 26.

The stop 23 is attached to the rear ends of the longitudinal bars 28, or ends of the rear transverse bars 26. The stop 23 is preferably in the form of a strip horizontally extending across the slit 21.

Four casters 12 are attached to a lower side of the chassis 20. Each caster 12 is located at a corresponding corner of the chassis 20.

The height adjustor 30 includes an external tube 32, an internal tube 34, a fastener 36 and a fin 38. The external tube 32 is inserted in the slit 21 and pivotally connected to the longitudinal bars 28. The external tube 32 can be pivoted between a vertical position and a horizontal position. In the horizontal position, the external tube 32 is stopped and supported by the stop 23.

The internal tube 34 is movably inserted in the external tube 32. Thus, an effective length of the combination of the internal tube 34 with the external tube 32 is adjustable.

The fastener 36 is preferably a threaded bolt. A handle is attached to an end of the threaded bolt to facilitate rotation of the threaded bolt. The fastener 36 is inserted in a screw hole (not numbered) made in the external tube 32 to abut against the internal tube 34 to keep the effective length of the combination of the internal tube 34 with the external tube 32 in a desired value.

The fin 38 is formed on or connected to the external tube 32. The fin 38 is made with an aperture 31.

The elastic pin device 50 is used for insertion in the fin 38 to keep the external tube 32 in the vertical position. The elastic pin device 50 is provided on one of the longitudinal bars 28. The elastic pin device 50 includes a sheath 52, a pin 54, a spring 56 and a ring 58.

The sheath 52 is formed with a thread on an external side. The sheath 52 is inserted in a screw hole (not numbered) made in one of the longitudinal bars 28. Sheath 52 is in the vicinity of the fin 38.

The pin 54 includes a middle portion formed between two enlarged first and second ends. Most of the middle portion of the pin 54 is movably inserted in the sheath 52. The first enlarged end of the pin 54 can be completely inserted in the sheath 52 or partially located out of the sheath 52. The second enlarged end of the pin 54 is always located out of the sheath 52.

The spring 56 is inserted in the sheath 52. The spring 56 is compressed between an internal portion of the sheath 52 and the first enlarged end of the pin 54. The spring 56 tends to push the first enlarged end of the pin 54 from the sheath 52.

The ring 58 is connected to the second enlarged end of the pin 54. The ring 58 is located out of the sheath 52.

The ring 58 is operable to completely insert the first enlarged end of the pin 54 in the sheath 52, i.e., located out of the aperture 31. Thus, the external tube 32 is allowed to pivot relative to the longitudinal bars 28.

Now, the spring 56 is compressed and hence loaded. By releasing the ring 58, the spring 56 is allowed to push the first enlarged end of the pin 54 out of the sheath 52, i.e., inserted into the aperture 31. Thus, the external tube 32 is kept in the vertical position on the chassis 20.

The angle adjustor 40 includes a platform 42, two lateral plates 44 and a pin 46. The lateral plates 44 extends from a lower side of the platform 42. The lateral plates 44 extend substantially parallel to each other. The internal tube 34 is located between the lateral plates 44 before the lateral plates 44 are pivotally connected to the internal tube 34 by the axle 43. Each of the lateral plates 44 is made with a plurality of apertures 48. The pin 46 is inserted in an aperture (not numbered) made in the internal tube 34 via a selected one of the apertures 48 to keep the platform 42 relative to the internal tube 34 in a selected one of several angles such as 0°, 45°, 90°, 135° and 180°.

Screws 14 are inserted in the platform 42 via washers 16. Thus, the cushion 60 is connected to the platform 42.

The cushion 62 is substantially I-shaped corresponding to the chassis 20. The cushion 62 includes a middle portion 66 formed between a front portion 64 and a rear portion 68. The rear portion 68 includes a cutout 61. The cushion 62 is attached to the chassis 20 by screws for example. The front portion 64 is supported on the front unit of the chassis 20. The middle portion 66 covers the longitudinal unit 22. The rear portion 68 covers the rear unit of the chassis 20. The cutout 61 of the rear portion 68 is used to receive the external tube 32 so that the cushion 62 does not interfere with the pivoting of the external tube 32.

Referring to FIG. 6, a worker 70 is shown in phantom lines to squat on the multi-mode 10 while working on a vehicle for example. The worker 70 places the hips against the cushion 60, the knees on the front portion 64 of the cushion 62, the feet against the rear portion 68 of the cushion 62.

Referring to FIG. 7, the worker 70 can operate the angle adjustor 40 to change the angle of the cushion 60.

Referring to FIG. 8, the worker 70 can operate the height adjustor 30 to change the height of the cushion 60.

Referring to FIG. 9, the worker 70 can operate the angle adjustor 40 to change the angle of the cushion 60 and operate the height adjustor 30 to change the height of the cushion 60. In this position, the cushion 62 is used as a seat while the cushion 60 is used as a backrest.

Referring to FIG. 10, the height adjustor 30 can be pivoted down to lay down the cushion 60. Now, the cushion 60 extends horizontally and is used as a pillow. Accordingly, the cushion 62 is used as a bed.

Referring to FIG. 11, the height adjustor 30 can be operated to enlarge the effective length of the combination of the external tube 32 with the internal tube 34, i.e., to move the cushion 60 from the cushion 62 if the worker is tall. Thus, the multi-mode 10 is adjustable to provide adequate and comfortable support for various figures of workers.

The present invention has been described via the detailed illustration of the preferred embodiment. Those skilled in the art can derive variations from the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the preferred embodiment shall not limit the scope of the present invention defined in the claims. 

1. A multi-mode stool comprising: a chassis; a first cushion supported on the chassis; a height adjustor comprising_an external tube pivotally connected to the chassis between a vertical position and a horizontal position and an internal tube telescopically inserted in the external tube so that the height adjustor is made with an adjustable effective length; and an angle adjustor comprising: a platform; a second cushion supported on the platform; two lateral plates extending from the platform on two opposites sides of the internal tube and each comprising a plurality of apertures; an axle for pivotally connecting the lateral plates to the internal tube; and a pin operable to insert in the internal tube via a selected one of the apertures to keep the platform in a selected one of several angles relative to the internal tube; wherein the multi-mode stool provides: a first mode when the external tube is in the horizontal osition and the slatform is located s arallel to the internal tube; a second mode when the external tube is in the vertical position and the platform is located perpendicular to the internal tube; and a third mode when the external tube is in the horizontal position and the platform is located parallel to the internal tube.
 2. The multi-mode stool according to claim 1, wherein the chassis comprises a longitudinal unit pivotally connected to the external tube, a front unit connected to the longitudinal unit, and a rear unit connected to the longitudinal unit.
 3. The multi-mode stool according to claim 2, wherein the longitudinal unit comprises two longitudinal bars and a slit between the longitudinal bars, wherein the external tube is pivotally connected to the longitudinal bars and inserted in the slit.
 4. The multi-mode stool according to claim 3, wherein the longitudinal unit further comprises a stop connected to the longitudinal bars, wherein the stop extends across the slit to stop and support the external tube in the horizontal position.
 5. The multi-mode stool according to claim 3, further comprising an elastic pin device arranged on one of the longitudinal bars and operable for engagement with the external tube to keep the external tube in the vertical position on the chassis.
 6. The multi-mode stool according to claim 5, wherein the external tube further comprises a fin for engagement with the elastic pin device.
 7. The multi-mode stool according to claim 6, wherein the elastic pin device comprises: a sheath connected to the longitudinal bar in the vicinity of the fin; a pin movably inserted in the sheath; and a spring compressed between an internal portion of the sheath and a portion of the pin so that the spring tends to push the pin into the fin from the sheath.
 8. The multi-mode stool according to claim 1, wherein the height adjustor further comprises a fastener operable to reach and abut against the internal tube via the external tube to keep the effective length of the height adjustor at a desired value.
 9. (canceled)
 10. The multi-mode stool according to claim 2, wherein the first cushion comprises a front portion supported on the front unit of the chassis, a rear portion supported on the rear unit of the chassis, and a width-reduced middle portion supported on the longitudinal unit of the chassis, wherein the front portion is adapted for supporting the user's knees and the rear portion is adapted for supporting the user's feet when the user sets his lower legs on two opposite sides of the width-reduced middle portion.
 11. The multi-mode stool according to claim 10, wherein the rear portion of the first cushion comprises a cutout for receiving the external tube so that the first cushion does not interfere with the pivoting of the external tube.
 12. The multi-mode stool according to claim 1, further comprising at least three casters connected to the chassis. 